Starting when cold

[yeeter]

Its about 6 degrees out now. The 1450 started (with some effort). The 1650 dont like it. It turns slowly, and eventually runs the battery down. Even in warmer weather its a slow turner but fires easily without choke even.

Any good tricks for starting these engines when it cold out? I think the temps are headed lower. May just wait it out because its going to be warmer soon, but maybe there are some things I could do to help them be more cold starting friendly??

Not sure a lightbulb under the block would do much. And at the moment there isnt the room to get it inside.

[DoubleO7]

When I lived near Ottawa, Canada I put one of those magnetic oil pan heaters on the engine oil pan and another on the bottom of the rear end.
Plus a 60 watt light bulb between the carb and the battery.
Then draped a heavy real canvas tarp over the entire 127.

[ol'George]

I find it is easier to start with closed throttle,
and a fully charged battery.

[bocephus1991]

Another thing you could do,I have heard of farmers doing this years ago is take the battery in the house with you at night.

[Cub Cadet 123]

Originally Posted by bocephus1991

Another thing you could do,I have heard of farmers doing this years ago is take the battery in the house with you at night.

Great suggestion Brian. I also run about .5 oz. of HEET to a gallon of gasoline. Only do this if you have a copper or lined fuel line, as it will dry out a standard rubber fuel line.

Cub Cadet 123

[macman81]

Thinner oil and a larger battery is all I can figure out on mine! Thinking about synthetic oil next time but not sure about it on such an old engine

[Yosemite Sam]

All of the above are good suggestions, when I was a kid there was an old man who used to call me sometimes to put a large, square, flat pan of hot ashes and coals from his coal stove, under the engine of his truck on cold mornings to help get it started.

As long as you don't risk a fire, anything you can do to get heat to the engine and trans-axle will surly help.

Using jumper cables from your car/truck will also keep the battery from running down when trying to start a cold Cub.

Good luck.

[Merk]

Originally Posted by Cub Cadet 123

Great suggestion Brian. I also run about .5 oz. of HEET to a gallon of gasoline. Only do this if you have a copper or lined fuel line, as it will dry out a standard rubber fuel line.

Cub Cadet 123

I add the whole container to a 5 galion container. My IH Cub Cadets have a rubber line. Never had a fuel line issue.

Make sure you use Heet in the red container.

by nikster
I would think that IMO; 3 issues would be most viable.

1. Temp. & effect in reducing the power in cranking in your battery. No matter what if it sits in 0-deg., power voltage is reduced in cranking.

2. Oil that is thicker than corn syrup because of freezing temp's.

3. Moisture in gas because of ethanol (?) left standing it starts condensation.

Most of the moisture comes from the air cleaner pulling in cold air into a hot engine. It is not unusal to have 1/4 to 1/2 inch of snow on the hood of my snow machines. Suck a little of that snow covered air into you engine and see how well it runs. E-10 fuel works great if stored correctly.

[dvogtvpe]

They made a cold start kit for the 14 and 1650's that was nothing but a clutch in the driveline to disengage the hydro pump for easier cold starts. years ago someone posted some pics of this on another Cub Cadet forum and some one else had an instruction sheet. even on gear drive it makes sense to push the clutch in so you don't have to spin anything in the trans in thick oil.

[Cub Cadet 123]

[QUOTE=Merk;235409]I add the whole container to a 5 galion container. My IH Cub Cadets have a rubber line. Never had a fuel line issue.

Make sure you use Heet in the red container.

Ah.....some of the ingredients of the famed "Merkle" Top Secret Fuel Mixture is shared...I've heard of your fuel mixture from a couple of guys in my area and they said that their cubs really like it!

Cub Cadet 123